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Homeless Management Information System
HMIS is used by state and federally funded homeless and housing service providers to collect and manage data gathered while providing housing assistance to people already experiencing homelessness and households at risk of losing their housing.
- Explanation of Washington’s HMIS (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions About HMIS (PDF)
- WA State Legislative website – HMIS consent law: Washington homeless client management information system (RCW 43.185C.180)
HMIS Training Requirements
Our Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) trainings are intended for staff working for agencies already set up with HMIS access through the Department of Commerce. Before registering for training, please read the HMIS Training & Approval instructions and the HMIS Training Catalog for pre-training requirements.
To apply for HMIS Training access, fill out our HMIS Training & Account Request application. Please read our HMIS Training & Approval instructions before filling it out. You will need to provide the agencies and counties you will use HMIS for, names of approvers (ex. supervisor), and know what project types you will be using HMIS for. You can look up your agency programs using our Agency Look Up Dashboard. If your agency has not yet applied to use HMIS and doesn’t already have HMIS access, please contact HMIS@commerce.wa.gov to find out how your agency can apply for HMIS access.
Please review the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Training Catalog and HMIS Training FAQ (PDF) before registering for HMIS training. Both documents explain HMIS Training requirements, who needs training, and more.
HMIS Resources
- HMIS Agency Partner Agreement – Updated 6/7/2018 (PDF)
- HMIS Informed Consent Form – Updated 6/7/2018 (PDF)
- HMIS Consent Form in Spanish – Updated 6/26/2018 (PDF)
- HMIS Interagency Data Sharing Agreement (PDF)
- HMIS Revocation of Consent Process for Teleworkers (PDF)
- HMIS Client Revocation of Consent Form – Updated 6/7/2018 (PDF)
- HMIS Client Revocation of Consent Form in Spanish – Updated 6/26/2018 (PDF)
- HMIS Client Privacy Rights -Notice of Uses & Disclosures (Word)
- HMIS User Policy Example – Updated 6/7/2018 (PDF) (The actual agreement is an electronic form in HMIS.)
Sample Forms/Templates
- 2019 PATH & STR HMIS Data Standard Changes Guide
- 2019 Youth Programs HMIS Data Standard Changes Guide
- HMIS Guidance for Domestic Violence and Consent Refused Providers (PDF)
- Consent Refused Client Profile Creation Guide (PDF)
- Clarity HMIS Help Portal (website)
- Learn Excel – Resources List (PDF)
- HMIS Basic Steps Cheat sheet (PDF)
- Rapid Re-Housing: Project & Housing Move-in Date Guide (PDF)
- Permanent Housing: Project & Housing Move-in Date Guide (PDF)
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Data Standards:
HUD manuals to assist HMIS Lead Agencies and Continuums of Care (CoCs) to correctly set up projects in HMIS can be found on each of these HUD webpages:
- Data Quality Report Resources Info Sheet
- Clarity Management Reports Details/Crosswalk (PDF)
- Clarity Annual Performance Report (APR) Instructions 2022 (PDF)
- Our web-based public portal provides one-stop information on homelessness assistance, spending, and performance via Tableau dashboard and informational graphics.
Explanation of Commerce’s partnership with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) (PDF)
Statewide HMIS data is used to produce several reports and publications using aggregated (containing no identifying client information) data. HMIS data is cross-match with DSHS and other state agency data through DSHS RDA. HMIS client data is not to be used for any other purpose except research and aggregate reporting.
Search for relevant DSHS RDA reports on the FFA Research and Data Analysis page. Tip: search for the subject “Homelessness.”
DSHS-HMIS Analysis of Matched Data Published Reports:
Program Links
Consolidated Homeless Grant
Annual Point in Time Count
Continuum of Care
Emergency Solutions Grant
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
HUD Section 811 Rental Assistance
Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP)
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Homeless System Performance
Office of Homeless Youth
Homeless Councils
Homeless Services Grantee Training
HMIS Technical Assistance
HMIS Technical Assistance Staff is not available on official state holidays.
HMIS E-mail Updates
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HMIS Technical Assistance Customer Survey
HMIS Training Evaluation
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